Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias on the Rhodes Island in Greece, July 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

RHODES, Greece, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias here on Sunday to exchange views on the development of bilateral ties and major international and regional issues of common concern.

Noting that the China-Greece relationship is developing in good shape and on a solid basis, Xi said China attaches great importance to developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with the European country.

Both China and Greece have unique cultures with profound impacts on human civilization, and the two peoples appreciate and respect each other, said Xi.

China is willing to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and increase cultural exchanges with Greece so as to infuse fresh vigor into the two ancient civilizations and bring benefits to the two peoples, he added.

Hailing Papoulias as a respected politician and an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said the Greek president has made important contribution to the development of China-Greece relations.

The fact that Papoulias has come a long way to the island of Rhodes to receive him, noted Xi, is highly indicative of the deep affection of the Greek people and the president himself toward the Chinese people.

Recalling his meeting with Papoulias in February in the Russian resort city Sochi where they attended the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games, Xi said they had reached a wide range of consensus and greatly pushed forward the development of bilateral ties.